Page 106 of A War of Embers

“The land is decaying.”

“We already established that the magic here isn’t right,” Zeke sighs. “There’s nothing we can do. The land here isn’t our problem. We need to focus on getting to the Godlands and back before Rowan loses his mind and decides to come here himself.”

Immediately my back straightens as I narrow my eyes at Zeke’s form, though he’s not looking at me. “He wouldn’t dare.”

“He jumped into the Blood Sea, Keres. He fucking would do anything for you, including saving you from yourself. This ill thought out plan is just the type of thing he would come back into the sea for.”

“Sereia won’t let him cross.”

“Not even Sereia’s magic is strong enough to take him on if he’s determined to get to you,” Zeke states. “Or have you not noticed the length he’ll go to for your safety? To ensure if you die that he’s right there beside you so you aren’t alone?”

Emotions clog my throat as his words penetrate to my heart. “It doesn’t matter,” I force the words out. “We’ll be back before anything detrimental happens.”

“Final words,” Zeke sing-songs in a deep baritone. “Something wicked always comes.”

“You’re terribly annoying, I hope you’re aware of that.”

Zeke smirks but then it slides off his face as he stills. His arm comes out, barring me from continuing down the path in the trees.

Taking his cue, I slow my breathing down so I can hear whatever he is that’s snatched his attention away from our banter. Within seconds I can hear the rhythmic tap, tap, tap of feet moving against the ground, crunchy leaves and sticks in their haste.

Whether they’re here for me or not is undecided. Whoever they are, they’re in a rush to wherever they need to be.

A rush of adrenaline floods my body the closer the footsteps get. I feel the weight of my sword suddenly settle in my hand, no longer obstructed by the veil. A single rivet of blood trickles out of my nose, but I don’t have time to wipe it away before three bodies funnel into our field of vision.

“Friends of yours?” Zeke mutters.

“I don’t have friends on this side of the sea.” I twirl my blade, bringing it up so it’s obvious we’re armed as the people continue forward. Once close enough, I spy the sky blue streaks on their cloaks and step in front of Zeke immediately. “What do you want?” I shout, pointing the tip of my blade towards them.

“You, Slayer of Cinnabar,” one volleys back.

I squint, trying to see if I can recognize any of them but the night is too dark to see their faces clearly. “Really?” I drawl. “And you knew I was here?”

“We heard you might be hiding in the forest the past month. Most of the inhabitants are dead. Figures you’re the one killing anyone who gets close,” the man from the Kyanite District snarls.

Raising my brows, I cast Zeke a quick look of surprise. So no one realized I went into the Blood Sea; they merely thought I was hiding from everyone. I wonder what lie Lady Gwenyth spun on how she lost control over me since her magic can’t penetrate the veil to Aïdes.

“So these are the people who want to kidnap us and bargain for our release?” Zeke asks, an air of boredom coating his words.

“Yes,” I mutter under my breath, even though he let his voice carry.

“There’s three of us and two of you,” the Kyanite man yells. “Best to not even try anything stupid if you don’t want your friend to be killed on site, immortal.”

Zeke makes an ahhing sound. “Now I see why you hate the nickname so much.” Cracking his neck to one side, he maintains focus on the three now moving closer towards us. “I’m free to defend myself, correct? Even if I don’t turn into a dragon?”

Before I can tell him that anything goes outside the District lines, he opens his mouth and a roaring ball of fire escapes, expanding until it encompasses the entire area where the three men once stood. I blink several times, the screaming of the men penetrating the air as they become engulfed in Zeke’s otherworldly fire.

“Fighting would have taken too long,” he explains when I continue to gape at him. “Plus, there are three of them. You could have been hurt. While I’m fully aware you can take care of yourself, I did promise to protect you and Rowan would have an utter fit if you were harmed in any way. Plus,” he gestures to the fire, “this way is faster.”

“But people are going to notice it at some point,” I warn.

He shrugs, unrepentant. “An interesting fact about dragons, we can make fire and will it away at the same time. Protects us from burning ourselves in mortal form since our scales act as a natural deterrent.”

Well, isn’t that a nifty trick. The fire eases before our eyes, slowly going out as we walk onward. The smell of burning flesh pierces the air, and I quickly drag the collar of my shirt over my nose to staunch some of the stench.

Off to the side, one corpse is entirely black, his body curled inwards and blood seeping into the rotting ground. His entire being is covered in a black char, his face undistinguishable. Another body, similar in state, is still twitching as his limbs harden. The screaming has died off some, but not entirely. As for the third and final member of this merry band of idiots, his legs are completely warped as he uses his arms to try and crawl away from the flames still clinging to the cloak on his back.

Someone ought to put him out of his misery.

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